Surgical Robot Arm Wireless Instrument Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical robots require electrical interfacing arrangements on sterile drapes to communicate with surgical instruments, increasing complexity and cost, and there is a need for a method to minimize the risk of infection by maintaining a sterile environment while allowing for efficient attachment and detachment of instruments during operations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical robot system utilizing short-range wireless communications, such as Near Field Communications, between the robot arm and surgical instruments, with a proximity sensor to detect instrument presence and a controller to manage data exchange, eliminating the need for electrical interfacing on the sterile drape and enabling secure, efficient instrument attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical interfacing arrangements are incorporated on the sterile drape to communicate with surgical instruments, then communication between the robot arm and instrument is achieved, but the complexity and cost of the sterile drape increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical interfacing arrangement (mechanical/electrical system) with a magnetic coupling system. The magnet embedded in the sterile drape couples magnetically with a corresponding magnet on the instrument, enabling wireless communication without requiring electrical contacts on the drape. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electrical interfacing arrangements while maintaining reliable communication between the robot arm and surgical instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the sterile drape and the surgical instrument. The magnet in the drape and the magnet on the instrument create a magnetic coupling that serves as the communication channel, eliminating the need for direct electrical contact through the drape. This intermediary approach enables communication while maintaining the simplicity of the sterile drape design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sterile drape is used to maintain a sterile environment, then infection risk is minimized, but the complexity of incorporating electrical interfacing arrangements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical interfacing arrangements with a magnetic coupling system embedded in the sterile drape. The magnet in the drape couples with a magnet on the instrument through magnetic fields, enabling communication without electrical contacts that would compromise the sterile barrier. This maintains the sterile environment while avoiding the complexity of electrical interfacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical interfacing function from the sterile drape by using a magnetic coupling system. The communication functionality is achieved through magnetic fields rather than electrical contacts, removing the need for complex electrical arrangements in the sterile barrier while maintaining the sterile environment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If instruments are made detachable and attachable mid-operation, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but the need for reliable communication and detection systems increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic coupling instead of electrical interfacing to enable reliable communication during instrument attachment and detachment. The magnet in the sterile drape couples with the magnet on the instrument, providing consistent communication signal without complex electrical connection systems. This supports mid-operation instrument interchangeability while keeping the communication system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that enables reliable communication between the robot arm and instrument during attachment and detachment operations. The magnetic coupling provides a stable communication channel that works regardless of the mechanical connection state, simplifying the detection and communication systems needed for instrument interchangeability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the complexity and cost of sterile drapes, maintains a sterile environment, and allows for efficient communication and data exchange between the robot arm and surgical instruments, ensuring accurate tracking of instrument usage and preventing misuse due to expired or inappropriate instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor configured to detect the proximal presence of the surgical instrument
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to receive data from the surgical instrument over a short-range wireless communications link with the surgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical robot comprising a base and an arm extending from a proximal end attached to the base to a distal end attachable to a surgical instrument via a series of links interspersed by articulations. The arm comprises a receiver, a proximity sensor and a controller. The receiver is configured to receive data from the surgical instrument over a short-range wireless communications link with the surgical instrument. The proximity sensor is configured to detect the proximal presence of the surgical instrument. The controller is configured to respond to the proximity sensor detecting the proximal presence of the surgical instrument by enabling the short-range wireless communications link between the receiver and a transmitter of the surgical instrument to be established.